Pneumatic pressure control device

ABSTRACT

A pressure control means comprising a jet pump ( 1 ) whose pressure state in a branch flow duct ( 4 ) may be changed by means of a choke ( 6 ), which influences the spent air flow from the jet pump ( 1 ). This renders possible a rapid and stepless variation of the pressure state in the branch flow duct ( 4 ).

[0001] The invention relates to a pneumatic pressure control means for the production of at least two different pressures in a load line by the use of adjustment means.

[0002] Conventionally different pressures are made available in a load line by switching over a three way valve between two supply lines, which carry the desired pressures.

[0003] Furthermore it is a customary practice to utilize jet pumps to produce vacuum, in the case of which a jet tube nozzle carrying a fluid under gage pressure injects such fluid into a principal flow duct. In the transition zone between the jet nozzle and the principal flow duct a branch flow duct is provided in which vacuum is produced owing to the high flow speed of the medium.

[0004] One object of the invention is to provide a simple means by which pressures with different levels may be produced in a connected load line.

[0005] This aim is to be attained by the invention as defined in claim 1.

[0006] The pressure differences required in the branch flow duct are produced by influencing the principal flow without a valve being necessary for this purpose. Since the back pressure is influenced without making physical contact, use is more particularly advantageous in cases where frequent and rapid changes in pressure are required. The back pressure means may for example be in the form of a counter pressure nozzle directed against the outlet flow opening, whose flow rate may be changed. The back pressure means may furthermore be in the form of slides able to be moved, for example perpendicularly to the principal flow duct. A particular advantage of the invention is that only one supply duct is required, which may be more readily laid and connected as a double line in a restricted space. This means that it is possible to arrange the control means close to the load so that the change in pressure may take place particularly rapidly.

[0007] The influence on flow may be for example so set that the flow speed in the principal duct is reduced and the vacuum effective in the branch flow duct is eliminated or, dependent on the size of the back pressure, is converted into gage pressure. In this respect it is an advantage for the principal flow duct to be designed so that it flares like a trumpet toward the outlet opening in order to achieve flow with a minimum resistance. The back pressure means may, for example, be usch as to be able to be set in only two functional positions so that the pressure control means is merely effective as a sort of two way valve. It is however also possible to provide a multi-stage setting or adjustment so as to have any desired number of output pressures.

[0008] The baffle-like choke in accordance with claims 2 and 3 may be actuated by a shifting movement toward the outlet flow opening or athwart same without any mutual contact occurring. This simplifies the mechanical actuation and function of the pneumatic operations and may take place without mechanical wear, the choke in accordance with claim 4 being mechanically simple in design and as regards its guide means.

[0009] The for the development in according to claim 5 is means that it is possible to regulate the pressures required in fine steps and to adapt same to various different conditions of use.

[0010] The displacement measuring means as defined in claim 6 renders possible a rapid movement of the choke into a predetermined position with a correspondingly defined pressure in the load line.

[0011] The pressure sensor and the control according to claim 7 make it possible for the pressure in the load line to be set precisely and contact in a manner independent from the flow rate.

[0012] The linear drives in accordance with claims 8 through 10 produce a high hold and setting force so that a rapid setting action on the choke and reliable holding it in the set position is possible. The moving coil as defined in claim 8 may for example be designed like a loudspeaker and be coupled with a diaphragm sealing off the coil space so that same may be filled with a damping liquid.

[0013] In the following the invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in accompanying drawings.

[0014]FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section taken through a pneumatic pressure control means.

[0015]FIG. 2 shows pressure control means as defined in claim 1 in another functional position.

[0016] In FIG. 1 the reader will see a pneumatic pressure control means in an axial longitudinal section. A jet pump 1 possesses a jet nozzle 2 connected with a gage pressure line and directed toward a principal flow duct 3, which is designed as a sort of venturi nozzle. In the transition zone between the jet nozzle 2 and the principal flow duct 3 a branch flow duct 4 branches off perpendicularly to the principal flow duct 3, such branch duct flaring out in a trumpet-like form toward an outlet flow opening 5. The branch duct opens into a spent air chamber, which the medium leaves through a muffler 14 out into the surroundings. A load line 7 is connected with the branch flow duct 4.

[0017] A choke 6 is located at some distance from the outlet flow opening 5, which substantially prevents any back pressure in the exiting spent air. In the vicinity of the jet nozzle 2 the flow speed is so high that here a vacuum pressure develops. This vacuum pressure zone extends in the branch flow duct 4 and in the load line 7. The choke 6 is attached to an electromagnetic actuator 8 which is operated in the axial direction by means of an electrical coil 9 against the direction of the jet of exiting medium.

[0018] A pressure sensor 10 measures the pressure in the branch flow duct 4 and is connected by way of a data line 13 with an electrical controller 12 which is connected with the coil 9. Dependent on the amperage supplied by way of line 13 the inductivity of the coil will be changed together with the position of the electromagnetic actuator 8 with the choke 6.

[0019]FIG. 2 shows the baffle-like choke 6 in one position of switching, in which the distance from the outlet flow opening 5 is substantially reduced. The spent air is now not able to freely flow out and is subject to such a strong back pressure in the principal flow duct 3 that a gage pressure results in the branch flow duct 4. 

1. A pneumatic pressure control means for the production of at least two different pressures in a load line by the use of adjustment means, characterized in that a jet pump possesses a principal flow duct (3) opening into an outlet flow duct (5) and a branch flow duct (4) branching from same, the load line (7) being connected with it, in that the adjustment means (5) are designed in the form of adjustable back pressure means (f. i. 6) associated with the outlet flow opening (5), in that the flow in the principal flow duct (3) may be influenced by adjustment of the back pressure means and in that in a manner dependent thereon the pressure state in the branch flow duct (4) may be changed.
 2. The pressure control means as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the back pressure means are designed in the form of an adjustable choke (6), which changes the flow cross section of the outlet flow duct (5).
 3. The pressure control means as set forth in claim 2, characterized in that the baffle-like choke (6) is able to be moved into a position in front of the outlet flow opening (5).
 4. The pressure control means as set forth in claim 3, characterized in that the choke (6) is able to be moved in the outlet flow direction toward the outlet flow opening (5).
 5. The pressure control means as set forth in claim 3 or in claim 4, characterized in that the choke (6) is able to be moved in several stages by means of a controlled drive (f. i. 8 and 9) and is directly attached to a drive element (f.i. 8).
 6. The pressure control means as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that the drive comprises a displacement measuring means.
 7. The pressure control means as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that a pressure sensor (10) is arranged in the branch flow duct (4) and in that the drive and the pressure sensor (10) are connected with a control means (12) which evaluates the signals from the pressure sensor (10) and which in a manner dependent on the same controls the drive (f. i. 8) to assume a new setting thereof.
 8. The pressure control means as set forth in claim 6 or in claim 7, characterized in that the drive is designed in the form of a moving coil on which the choke is attached.
 9. The pressure control means as set forth in claim 6 or in claim 7, characterized in that the drive is designed in the form of an electromagnetic actuator (8) on whose moving magnet part the choke (6) is attached.
 10. The pressure control means as set forth in claim 6 or in claim 7, characterized in that the drive is designed in the form of a linear motor, on whose moving part the choke is attached. 